How to Treat a Chigger Bite

Chiggers are the larva of the harvest mite, commonly found in temperate climates. Like mites, they tend to bite the surface of the skin. Here's how to treat the area if you are bitten.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

1. Wash the area around the bite with hot soapy water as soon as possible.

2. Scrub the area with a wash cloth to help remove other chiggers that might be on the skin in the area of the bite.

3. Apply ice to treat minor swelling in reaction to the bite. Apply ice for 10 minutes; remove it for 10 minutes; repeat until the swelling goes down.

4. Apply an over-the-counter hydrocortisone cream to the area of the bite to treat itching.

5. Take an oral antihistamine to reduce the allergic reaction that your body is having to the bite if you're still itchy.

Tips & Warnings

• Chigger bites are far more likely to cause itching than pain.
• After returning from an area with chiggers, launder your clothes in very hot soapy water for about 30 minutes. Don't wear those clothes until they are properly laundered or exposed to hot sunshine.
• While most people do not have a severe reaction to mite bites, some people will. If you or someone else has a severe reaction that includes swelling of the face or tightness in the throat, consult a doctor right away.
• Be careful when taking oral antihistamines, as they may cause drowsiness.

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[Meri]

on 6/25/2009 I wrote an article about using clear nail polish. Our family has used this method for decades. It really does work!

[drickey]

on 6/21/2009 You can also apply clear fingernail polish to the bite. This suffocates the chigger and makes it die faster.